Since "Freaks and Geeks", I've been a fan of Judd Apatow's projects. He has a very organic approach to comedy. Sure, there are many contrived situations, but much of the humor and characters are firmly grounded in reality. The way in which characters interact and joke around with each other is eerily true to real life at times. Furthermore, his movies are the closest thing to a brand in today's cinema. I read a review which likened watching an Apatow film to going to a neighborhood bar. What an apt description of the Apatow-watching experience.
Judd's turnaround from earlier in his career has been astounding. "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared" were excellent shows, especially the former. Unfortunately, they were both canceled after a season. Now Apatow has made it his karmic mission to elevate all of his acolytes into movie stars, producers, and writers. The latest Apatow player to receive this promotion is Jason Segel, best known as that guy from "How I met your Mother".
My expectations were not as high as they were for Knocked Up or 40 Year Old Virgin because I had heard that Judd Apatow did not direct this effort and was only superficially involved with the scriptwriting. This was the same situation with Superbad, which was a funny movie but lacked that certain something Knocked Up and 40yov had.
Was this movie as good as the two aforementioned? Not quite, but very close. The mark of a good comedy is a great stable of funny supporting actors outside of the main actors mentioned on the poster. In this regard, the film did not disappoint. Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Jack McBrayer, Bill Hader, and other unnamed actors do a great job delivering laughs. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Russell Brand, the guy who played the eccentric British rocker. His odd and off-the-wall sense of humor contributes much to the movie, and he has a surprising level of depth for a self-centered, sex-crazed rock star.
This great supporting cast, however, does not overshadow Jason Segel, the guy who gets dumped by the titular Sarah Marshall. His womanly insecurities after getting dumped are simultaneously sad and hilarious. You really feel for this guy because, unlike the stereotypical comedic male lead, he is an actual three-dimensional character with feelings. Mila Kunis, the hot rebound girl, is the chick every guy wants to get with. She's charming, cute, and has an edge to her. She probably gives the best performance in the entire movie. Kristen Bell does the best she can with the role of being the bitch, so I can't rip on her too much.
I think a review of this movie can't go without a mention of the nudity. And most guys would get excited at that prospect with hot girls like Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell, but instead you get Jason Segel's limp dick. The shots aren't really that gratuitious; they fit with the beginning and ending scenes when they happen and add to the humor. The only notable issue with the movie is pacing. At times, the movie lags and becomes long and overdrawn. Some reviewers have said that the film, like any romantic comedy, has a predictable ending. My view is that, first of all, this is NOT your typical Matthew McConnaughey starring romantic comedy and, second, you watch it for the humorous circumstances that get you from point A to point B. And, in this regard, the movie is a rip-roaring good time and a worthy addition to the Apatow canon.
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